CME Launches XRP Futures, Clearing Path Toward Spot ETF Approval
The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) officially introduced XRP futures trading on Monday, becoming the first U.S.-regulated platform to offer futures contracts tied to XRP’s price.
Traders can choose between two contract sizes—2,500 XRP and 50,000 XRP—both cash-settled and based on the CME CF XRP-Dollar Reference Rate, which reflects XRP’s daily value at 4 p.m. London time.
CME already provides futures contracts for bitcoin (BTC), ethereum (ETH), and solana (SOL), along with options on bitcoin and ethereum. Solana futures, launched in March, posted relatively low volume during their debut with $12.3 million in notional daily volume and $7.8 million in open interest, far below bitcoin and ethereum’s initial figures.
XRP’s price declined by 3.45% over the last day.
This launch is regarded as a pivotal development for the approval prospects of spot XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which remain under SEC review. Multiple issuers have filed for spot XRP ETFs but have yet to secure regulatory approval.
“XRP futures are now trading on CME, regulated by the CFTC,” stated Nate Geraci, President of ETF Store. “This signals that spot XRP ETFs may be on the horizon.”
Former SEC Chair Gary Gensler highlighted the existence of regulated futures markets as a key factor in approving spot bitcoin and ethereum ETFs. The CME’s XRP futures debut could similarly sway the SEC toward greenlighting spot XRP ETFs.
